Nikita Gusev assisted on the game opening goal and took a minor for slashing in Khabarovsk's 3-1 loss to Chelyabinsk. The forward played 17:32 in the match. He has hovered around half a point a game and is averaging 13:23 of ice time a game since his trade to Khabarovsk, which is pretty good for a young player in the KHL during an NHL lockout that has seen an influx of NHLers playing in the league. Chelyabinsk defenseman Nikita Nesterov remains away from the team while playing for Russia at the U20 World Junior Championships in Ufa. Khabarovsk plays Magnitogorsk on Sunday.